February 24, 2022
Dear Neighbors,
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I hope this newsletter finds you well.
The anticipated May 1 launch of the new countywide paratransit system, Ride Lake County, is fast approaching. The lack of easy and accessible transportation for those with disabilities was one of the first issues I heard about from residents back in 2018. This is a solution that has been a long time coming and is the result of the work of many. We are excited to see it come to fruition. Please see below for more details, including how to sign up for service.
Maple syrup hikes, vegetable gardening, summer programs registration….see below for more information on these signs that spring is coming. (If not the actual weather outside your window.)
Take care,
Lake County Government News
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Teams Provide Help to Unsheltered During Point-in-Time Homeless Count
Volunteers searched throughout Lake County to interview and offer help to unsheltered people during the annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count. Twenty-three teams made up of 65 volunteers participated in the late night event, which is crucial to measure the needs of our homeless service system and coordinate services for people experiencing homelessness.
Visit the Lake County Coalition for the Homeless website to learn more, including partner organizations who are helping to address homelessness year round in Lake County.
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Lake County COVID-19 Update
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COVID-19 Helpful Links
Get Help
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Call 211 to Get Connected to the Help You Need
If you need help finding food, shelter, rent or utility assistance, or other essential services, call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help 24/7. Speak to a person in English or Spanish when you call. The 211 team will also interpret more than 150 other languages. Learn more
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Other Resources for Help
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Rental Assistance: Lake County’s program for renters provides needed relief to those who need help making past-due or current rent and utility payments. Learn more
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Food for Families in Need: Northern Illinois Food Bank operates a traveling food pantry that delivers nutritious food directly to those in need and coordinates pop-up food markets across Lake County. Find food
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Help for Veterans: The Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County can help veterans and their families with a variety of issues, including financial help, survivor spousal benefits, burial arrangements and more. Call 847-377-3344.
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Mental Health Support: The Lake County Health Department offers a free, 24/7 confidential hotline for those experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use issue. Call 847-377-8088 any time. Learn more
Employment Resources
Check Get Hired Illinois
The State of Illinois launched Get Hired Illinois, designed to connect workers with available job and career training opportunities across the state.
Transportation News
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New Countywide Paratransit Service Anticipated to Launch in May
Ride Lake County will provide a borderless countywide paratransit service, meaning seniors age 60 and older and people with disabilities can get transportation to any area of Lake County for work, shopping, medical appointments, and more. The new service is anticipated to begin on May 1, 2022.
Riders will call a dedicated number to schedule trips in advance. All Ride Lake County vehicles are wheelchair accessible and provide curb-to-curb service from your desired pick up and drop off locations. The service will run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, excluding holidays. Further information including how to sign up, a riders guide, and more will be made available on Lake County's website at lakecountyil.gov/RLC.
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Health News
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Provide Your Feedback to Help Address Community Health Needs
You’re invited to participate in an online survey to help the Lake County Health Department better understand community health needs. Every five years, the Health Department conducts the survey to update its Lake County Community Health Assessment. The survey is completely anonymous. Questions range from topics such as demographics and housing to green spaces and transportation availability. Take the survey and learn more about the process
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Sheriff's Office News
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Sheriff’s Office K9s Receive Body Armor Thanks to Donation
Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9s Ryker, Danno, Dax, and Duke have received bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vests were embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring Blue Paws Strong.”
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. Learn more
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State's Attorney's Office News |
New Task Force to Curb Sex and Labor Trafficking in Lake County
The Lake County Human Trafficking Task Force will be directed by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and will consist of a collaboration between prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and victim service providers. The task force will be funded by a Department of Justice (DOJ) Grant to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and victim-service organization, A Safe Place. Learn more
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Property Assessment News |
Learn How to Become A Board of Review Hearing Officer
The Lake County Board of Review is seeking qualified professionals with real estate or appraisal backgrounds to serve as Board of Review Hearing Officers. Hearing Officers play an important role in striving for equitable and fair property assessments through the assessment appeal process. All applicants must pass a two-hour qualifying exam. The next exam will be administered on April 27. Learn more and register to take exam
Environmental News
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Learn Successful Vegetable Gardening
Learn tips on Successful Vegetable Gardening on March 9 as the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County and University of Illinois Extension continue the 2022 Garden Learning Series. University of Illinois Master Gardeners will give you steps to plan and tend your garden, including tips on garden location, layout and preparation, recommended vegetable varieties, proper planting, pest control, proper watering, and harvesting tips. Register today
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Forest Preserves News
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Winter Horizons Magazine Online
The winter issue of Horizons magazine is now available. Horizons is a quarterly publication of your Lake County Forest Preserves, featuring articles on Lake County wildlife, nature and history, Forest Preserve news, and programs and events. The main story in this issue is about how the forest preserves feel more important than ever as a result of the pandemic. “Visitors have developed an even deeper emotional attachment to the forest preserves,” said Executive Director Alex Ty Kovach. You can subscribe to receive the free magazine in print form. Read it online.
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Maple Syrup Hikes
Learn how trees work and how the sweet sap of sugar maples is turned into maple syrup at Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods during Maple Syrup Hikes. Ryerson has many maple trees and good soil. Teachers and scout leaders are encouraged to reserve in-person and virtual field trips. All public program hikes will be held entirely outdoors this year. Tickets are available for hikes that run on weekends from March 5–20. Hour-long hikes start every half-hour from noon to 2 p.m. Learn more »
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Summer Adventures
In 2022, we’re offering a different line-up of summer programs for children and teenagers ages 4-16. Sorted into three categories–nature, history and institute–Summer Adventures registration is open now. The programs provide high-quality education in-person across Lake County and virtually. Experienced educators teach programs that are geared to developmentally appropriate ages. Some programs cover three or five days in the same week. Others are offered a la carte, where participants can attend one or two sessions, or the whole series. Register for Summer Adventures programs online or at 847-968-3321. Learn more »
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Community Events and News
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Join Second Annual Lake County Maker Faire
The second annual Lake County Maker Faire is looking for makers! You are a Maker if you craft, build, create, design, tinker and tweak just about anything. The event will take place April 9 at the College of Lake County Grayslake Campus. Proposals can be submitted to showcase your work now through March 18. Learn more
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Community Action Partnership Can Guide to Assistance Programs
The Community Action Partnership of Lake County can provide assistance, guiding to programs that can help eligible households with needs, including paying the water and sewer bills and furnace assistance. To learn more about the programming and to make an appointment, call 847-249-4330.
Watch All County Board and Committee Meetings
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All Lake County board and committee meetings can be viewed on lakecounty.tv and on cable television (Comcast channels 18 or 30, depending on where you live, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99). The public also is welcome to attend all meetings in person at the Lake County Administrative Tower, 18 N. County Street, Waukegan or may attend meetings remotely using the registration link on the front page of each meeting’s agenda. |
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Individuals attending meetings in person or remotely may present their public comments during the meeting. Those not in attendance may provide written public comment via email or by mail. View the current meeting schedule.
All meetings are recorded, and are posted on the Lake County website. Here are links to the most recent board and committee meetings, including the video recordings and agendas:
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